Currently Obsessed With: California Academy of Science

8 days and counting until the official opening of our newest cultural icon, the California Academy of Science!
Working in an architect's office, I've been hearing snippets of news 'round the water cooler for some time now, and just had the pleasure to read an all-engrossing article in Metropolis magazine regarding this nearly decade long project...

Located in Golden Gate Park across from the controversial DeYoung Museum, the CAS was designed by world famous architect Renzo Piano (of Centre Pompidou fame!) and is set to be the world's largest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum Rated building, featuring the largest Green Roof yet created...

The components of the building consist of a planetarium, rainforest habitat, aquarium, and natural history museum all coexisting under Piano's signature roof- another progressive move in the way of traditional museum layouts. An interesting sidenote to have learned is that the crazy hills which now define the new building were not part of the original concept. Piano, wanting to maintain the 36' roof of the original buildings, just let the roof 'bubble' where the planetarium and rainforest needed higher ceilings. The roof consists of all native California plants (which attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds), self-ventilating skylights, and a viewing platform for visitors.
The California Academy of Science is set to open on September 27th, 2008.

It ain't cheap though- $24.95 weekend admission for adults, $19.95 if you bring a student ID.